There was shock and fury in Britain following the gruesome murder. In the hours following the attack, around 250 supporters of the anti-Islamist English Defense League (EDL) gathered at Woolwich Arsenal train station. The group reportedly hurled bottles and became involved in minor skirmishes with the police, but later dispersed without any arrests being reported.

It was reported this week that Adebolajo was arrested in Kenya in 2010, and deported to Britain.

He was believed to have been preparing to fight in the ranks of Somali terror group al-Shabab.

Britain therefore knew that Adebolajo was possibly dangerous, but took him in nonetheless, and apparently set him free.